Adjunctive bacteriophage therapy for prosthetic valve endocarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus

To the Editor: Infective endocarditis with Staphylococcus aureus is associated with a high mortality despite optimal antibiotic therapy.1 The synergy between bacteriophages and antibiotics has been shown in vitro and in animal studies,2 and bacteriophages have demonstrated their value in severe bacterial infections.3 AB‐SA01 (AmpliPhi Biosciences) is a bacterial DNA‐free and protein‐free highly purified preparation of three obligately lytic Myoviridae, each at 10⁹ plaque‐forming units per dose.4 This preparation has been recently used successfully for staphylococcal sinusitis by local irrigation.5 A protocol was established for bacteriophage therapy as an adjunct to standard care of severe staphylococcal infections under the auspices of the Therapeutic Goods Administration Special Access Scheme. Here, we report the first intravenous use of AB‐SA01 in a case of severe staphylococcal sepsis with prosthetic valve endocarditis.